Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-11-23
UNCLE SANS ARMY

-
It Consists. According d the Report a
General She idan, OF 28 49G Officers and
Mon Recomn eniattons Regarding the
Indians, Coast Defenses, ind the stats
Militia. zsss5 ==5a.s.t.. 1. IS
WASHINGTON, Nov. 6-L, eutenant- Cen
eral T. H. heridan in his annual report says
that according to the las consolidated
returns the army consists OF 1900
officers and 81 ,236 men, including
Indian scouts Touching the recent
Indian troubles the General says that
In order to quiet the restless young
men among the Grow Indians General Ruger
has been authorized to enlist about thirty Of
their number as scouts and take them to
Fort Custer: The Crows have always been
friendly and make it boast that they have
never killed o white man, and 1t would be
great pity If any thing should now
occur to disturb the peaceful relations Of
so long standing. General Sheridan is
confident that General Ruger will be able to
effect permanent settlement that will be
satisfactory to the Crows as well as to tho
Government ~
In regard TO the concentration of the
army in the larger posts the report says
that work on the new post at Denver will
shortly be commenced; that at San Antonio
has been progressing favorably during the
year; the ground for the new post near
Chicago will pass into the possession of the
Government at an early day, and at Fort
Smelling both the reservation and other at
tendant conditions are favorable for the es-
tablishment OF q large garrison. An addi-
tional appropriation will be necessary to
finish the reconstruction Of Fort Riley
Genera. Sheridan does not look favor.
ably upon the proposition Of General Miles
to separate the Indians now at San Carlos
into several camps about one or two
hundred miles apart Divided into
different bands. he says, each To-
cation might become the center
of disturbances, and the difficult
ties of their supervision would be greatly in
or eased. Tie General expresses regret at
the fact of slight increase in the num-
Der of assertions during the year, and
Eees no remedy for it He looks
favorably on the new plan OF monthly
payments. The recruiting service,
he says, has enlisted ar increased number
of good men. Discipline is good The ar
tillery, infantry ind cavalry schools are re-
army has greatly improved in rifle practice
The General renews his Recommendation
that s, 1000 men be added to the army
On the question of arms the report says
the time is near at hand when the army
should be supplied with machine guns, and
that unless an effective arm Of this charac-
ter Is developed by an American manufact-
urer very soonthe Government should adopt
some foreign repeating gun. On the subject
of our coast defenses the General says that
they have continued to deteriorate during
the year; that adequate defenses must be
the work Of years and attained at heavy
outlay. In the meantime, he says, the dyn-
amite-gun experiments show valuable quail
tiles and good results within their range,
and that experimenting with view to their
further development should be encouraged
General Sheridan concludes his report az
follows:
II am strongly IN favor OF the general Gov.
eminent extending all possible aid to the Ma
tional Guard OF the different States as they con-
stitute body OF troops that, in any emergen-
cy, would form an important part of our mill
tary force. They should be armed with the
best weapons, amply prov ded with complete
camp and garrison equipage, and instructed in,
the various drills and exercises according to
the tactics and systems followed in the regular
army. According to my observation and ex-
perience, most OF the State troops now march
we'll and handle the gun well, but they are
deficient in discipline and in all the duties that
teach soldier TO take oare Of himself while in
camp or upon march. This defect can best be
; overcome by establishing some system of en-.
campment under the control and direction and
at the entire expense OF the general government.
In the development OF such a measure the en-
tire army, as well as myself personally, will pe
glad to render such assistance as Les in our
power, and I recommend that the favorable
consideration OF the subject may be commend
ed to Congress-"